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COLUE SHOOTING EPISODE.
Charges Against Two Men Fail.
BUNBtJRY, April 27.— In the South
West Court of Quarter Sessions, at Bun
bury yesterday, morning, Henry Archer,
of Collie, pleaded not miiltv to a charse of
having discharged a loaded firearm at
Walter Michael Martin,' at Collie, on
October 18, 1930, with intend to unlaw
fully kill him. Mr. L. L. Crockett, B.M.,
and Mr. J. E. Hands, J.P., were on the
bench. Mr. F. D. Slee appeared for the
Crown, and Mr. H. D. Stapledon for ac
cused. . .
Kitty Archer, the 10-years-old daughter
of accused, said that her father came home
about 6 o'clock on the morning of Oc
tober. 18. 1930, and asked where Martin
was. Mrs. Archer said he was not there.
Archer then pulled Mrs. Archer from h«r
bed by the hair of her head, and punched
her in the face. 'He also punched witness
in the face and back. Archer said to her
mother that she need not wash the blood
from her face, as it wae nothing to what
she would get before the day was through.
He then put a. shot in his gun, and one
in his trousers pocket, saying to Mrs.
Archer, 'That is one for you, and one for
Martin.' . He told Mrs. Archer that if
she did not go with him to Martin's place,
he would drag her there dead by the hair
of her head.
Walter Michael Martin said that about
6.30 a.m. on October 18, 1930, lie heard
someone call out, 'Hallo, Mick.' He
went to the back door, and saw Archer
with a gun in a threatening attitude.
Archer fired at him. but witness ducked
and the shot went over his bead.
Henry Archer said that for about a
week before October 18, 1930, Be lived
with his brother-in-law, as he was en
deavouring to secure a divorce from his
?wifej owing to her relations -with Martin,
He went to his wife's place .about 6 a.m.
on October 18, and tackled her about her
relations with Martin. He got his gun,
picked up a cartridge and put it in
his pocket, as he always kept the gun un
loaded and with his wife went to Martin's.
Martin came to the door when called, and
said, 'You've 'got a gun; I'll get mine.'
He then went -inside. - Witness stepped up
closer^ to the door, and was in the act of
breaking the gun to load it, .wherf he ac
cidentally put his finger ''on. the trigger
and the gun exploded, the shot going'
through the door and into the hall. He
was so surprised at a Cartridge .being in.
the gun that he dropped it. He picked it
?up and ran away. After going about
eighty yards, he heard Mrs. Martin call
out, and shortly afterwards a bullet
whizzed past him. A second shot hit him
in one leg, and he fell to the ground. He
had been in hospital ever since.
After a short retirement, the jury
brought in a verdict of not guilty.
To-day Martin was acquitted on a charge
of having unlawfully x wounded Archer on
October J8, 1930, at Collie. Mr. C. E.
Jenour appeared for the Crown, and Mr.
R. W. Finch for Martin.
Archer, giving evidence, repeated the
story he told yesterday.
Jean Archer, wife of Henry Archer,
said that he compelled her to accompany
him to Martin's. Archer called and Mar
tin came_ to the door. Archer raised his
gun to his shoulder, and as witness called
out he fired. He then ran away. Witness
saw Martin get a gun and leave the bouse.
Shortly after she heard two shots in quick
succession.
Martin said that when he went to the
door Archer raised his gun to his shoulder
and fired at him. He ducked and reached
for his own gun. In the excitement of the
moment he rushed to the front of the
house and fired two shots at Archer, who
was funning ' away.
\After a short ' retirement, the jury re
turned a verdict of not guilty.
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